‘I was kind of numb’: Waukegan Polar Bear Plunge rolls on in subzero weather
January 2, 2018 by admin
Filed under Lingerie Events
“Freezin’ for a reason.”
That’s how Waukegan spokesman David Motley described the scene at the 19th Annual Polar Bear Plunge on New Year’s Day at Municipal Beach, where temperatures were below zero.
It was so cold on Monday that organizers of Lake Michigan plunges in Kenosha and North Avenue Beach in Chicago decided to cancel their events, but in Waukegan, waves of a dozen or so people at a time plunged into the icy water that had been opened up by a backhoe from the public works department earlier that morning.
People raced into the thigh-deep water and gave Waukegan Fire Department divers in cold-water gear a quick high five before dunking themselves completely or running the 30 feet back to the beach and nearby warming tents.
National Weather Service in Chicago issued a wind-chill warning for northeastern Illinois that ran from 9 p.m. New Year’s Eve through noon on Monday, calling for “very cold (to) dangerous levels” of minus 25 degrees to minus 35 on 10- to 15-mph winds out of the west/northwest.
The reported air temperature in Waukegan dipped to minus 7 degrees shortly after the arrival of the new year and improved only slightly to minus 5 for the start of the plunge. According to the weather service, water temperatures along the Chicago end of Lake Michigan stood at 33 degrees.
Julie Schneider, recreation manager for the Waukegan Park District, said organizers had nearly 100 participants pre-register for the 10 a.m. event, and then a steady stream of people signed up during the hour the plunge was held.
“Last year, we had over 300 plungers and raised $7,500. We’ve tried to figure out why the numbers go up and down every year, but there is no reason. Some of the coldest plunges attract the most people,” she said.
Schneider said the Polar Bear Plunge has been raising money for participants in Special Recreation Services of Northern Lake County programs. The fundraiser is a partnership between the Waukegan Park District and the city of Waukegan, and funds also support non-athletic programs like outings to zoos, restaurants and movie theaters for special recreation participants.
Waukegan residents Gerardo Pedraza and Erick Bravo, both 16, came down to the lakefront last year just to watch.
“It’s always been a thing that we say we’re going to do it next year. We decided to do it this year,” said Pedraza. Bravo said he was questioning his decision once they hit the lakefront.
“Should I really be doing this right now? I was cold in my bedroom,” he said.
After they plunged, they raced back into the warming tent. Was it what they expected?
“I was kind of numb,” said Pedraza as he shivered and peeled off his wet clothing.
“Yes,” was all Bravo had to say as he worked to get the wet clothes off.
Nearby, Rich Clay, 55, of Libertyville said this was his eighth trip into the icy waters.
“I just love it, because it’s exhilarating and it’s for a good cause. It’s a great way to raise money,” he said. “I wouldn’t miss it. It’s amazing! I loved it!”
Mayor Sam Cunningham came out to thank the plungers. “This is what Waukegan is all about,” he said, thanking all the various city departments involved and members of the Citizen Police Academy who volunteered to work the event.
Joann Flores-Deter, who grew up in Waukegan but now lives in Evanston, said she has made all 19 plunges and is known as the official Plunge-Meister. She paraded around before the official start with a bright blue bathroom plunger in her hand.
When she told the mayor that no matter where she is at, she always returns for this event, the mayor said he loved her commitment so much he pledged a donation on the spot.
“The mayor is donating $100. If you can do this, then I want to make a donation,” he said.
“Give me a polar bear hug,” Cunningham told her as they embraced at the viewing stage.
Rhonda Avila of Waukegan came down to view the plunge for the first time this year, and her husband, daughter and son had already retreated to the car in the parking lot. But her nieces — Taylor Humphries, 11, and Tahilia Melcher, 8 — were still toughing it out with her near the viewing stand.
“Oh my lord, this is so much fun. This is a great way to start the year off,” Avila said. She added that seven years ago, her daughter was born on New Year’s Day, so she decided to come down to the lakefront to see what the Jan. 1 event was all about.
Humphries said “it’s really awesome that these people are taking the time to do good things for other people.” Asked if she would join them some day, she said, “That’s crazy. Ah, no.”
Melcher was impressed.
“I think it’s amazing how people could do this in the cold water,” she said. “No,” was her quick response when asked if she would join them.
This year’s biggest donor was Eric Romero, a Metra conductor from Waukegan who raised $2,020 and was still expecting another $100 to come in on Tuesday from co-workers.
“My biggest donation came from Local 281 SMART United Transportation Union,” Romero said. “I wanted my kids (Alex, 8, and Daniel, 2) to see people doing things for other people. I think too many kids can be selfish.”
Romero recounted how he was $2 from hitting the $2,000 mark at Christmas, and his son Alex decided to donate the $2 he won on a lottery scratch-off ticket he got for the holiday.
“We’re proud of these guys,” said Romero’s wife, Denice.
Back on the beach, Lupe Nunez and Magda Parado, both of Waukegan, surveyed the water.
“It’s a beautiful view, actually. This is gorgeous,” said Nunez as a light steam floated up off the water, and ice and clouds were scattered on the horizon.
“This is becoming our tradition,” said Prado. “It’s an exciting way to start the New Year.”
